Oppo and Hasselblad , who have been collaborating since 2022, will jointly develop what they call ” next-generation HyperTone camera systems” that will “usher in a new era in computational photography.”
On the eve of the opening of the annual exhibition Paris Photo 2023, it was announced that the companies are working on the system and will present it in the new flagship smartphone of the Find series.
“By combining classic aesthetics with mobile technology, Oppo and Hasselblad have developed a system designed specifically for mobile shooting. In 2024, the companies will release next-generation HyperTone camera systems that promise to continue setting new industry standards ,” says Oppo Imaging director Oliver Zhang.
Both companies position the creation of the HyperTone system as their main goal for the period 2024.
“We’re thrilled to see Oppo’s latest advancements in mobile photography, which enable people to use their smartphones to bring their creativity to life through photography ,” said Bronius Rudnickas, Global Marketing Manager, Hasselblad. “ Our ongoing collaboration to create the next generation of HyperTone cameras is a huge project. This is a more seamless and deeper integration of the aesthetics and technologies of both brands and will provide photography enthusiasts with new image quality and experiences beyond what is achievable on today’s mobile phones. I look forward to sharing the results of our collaboration with all users next year . ”
Both companies claim that HyperTone’s camera design is “aesthetically driven,” which essentially means it moves away from the tradition of working on technical specifications. It’s a curious way to describe a development that is technical in nature, but both companies are adamant about the positioning of this development, at least their thought process.
The HyperTone camera system consists of three parts: the HyperTone all-lens system, the HyperTone imaging engine, and the HyperTone ProXDR display. These three components work together.
The HyperTone all-rear camera system is considered an industry first and delivers high image quality at any focal length, day or night.
Oppo and Hasselblad claim that the HyperTone Image Engine solves many of the problems of traditional computational photography and achieves fewer digital artifacts thanks to a higher level of technology.
“For example, the Extra HD algorithm increases clarity by 30% and reduces noise by 60% through the use of AI RAW Fusion. The new algorithm requires 400% more computing power, but after processing the details are cleaner and sharper ,” the companies note.
Oppo says it’s also working on making its ProXDR technology compatible with the Ultra HDR standard, presumably so photos can be streamed on third-party devices just like Oppo smartphones.
While Oppo and Hasselblad are pretty verbose about the system, it’s still not entirely clear how what they’re doing will affect phone photography. However, with the promise that the two brands will bring their technology to the next generation of flagship Find phones, the situation is likely to become clearer next year.
